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Bacterial and viral pneumonia: New insights from the Drakenstein Child Health Study

Heather J Zar1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, and MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|July 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Childhood pneumonia is a major global health issue. This South African study reveals high pneumonia rates, multiple causes, and links early illness to lasting respiratory problems.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pneumonia is a leading cause of child death globally.
  • Early childhood pneumonia is linked to chronic respiratory diseases later in life.
  • Preventative strategies have improved but have not eliminated the burden of pneumonia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and aetiology of early life pneumonia.
  • To explore the long-term impact of childhood pneumonia on respiratory health.
  • To analyze the role of nasopharyngeal flora in pneumonia development.

Main Methods:

  • The Drakenstein Child Health Study, a South African birth cohort.
  • Multidisciplinary approach to data collection and analysis.
  • Investigation of multiple pathogens and microbial flora.

Main Results:

  • High incidence of pneumonia observed despite high immunisation coverage.
  • Pneumonia is caused by a variety of pathogens.
  • Nasopharyngeal microbial dysbiosis precedes and predisposes to pneumonia.
  • Early life pneumonia is associated with reduced lung function.

Conclusions:

  • Early life pneumonia poses a significant ongoing threat to child health.
  • Multiple pathogens and altered microbial flora contribute to pneumonia.
  • Childhood pneumonia has lasting negative effects on lung function.

Keywords:
AetiologyChronic lung diseaseLower respiratory tract infectionLung functionPneumonia

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